Check a Car

MyPlateCheck

Check the car before you buy it.

Start with a free vehicle check, then go deeper only when you need to.

Run a Free Vehicle Check

Insurance write-off check

Know whether the car has a recorded write-off history.

A repaired write-off can look excellent in an advert. The important questions are what category was recorded, what damage occurred, how it was repaired and whether the asking price reflects the history.

UK registration lookupMOT & tax contextBuyer-focused reports

A write-off marker changes the buying decision

Insurance write-off history can affect value, insurance, resale and how carefully the vehicle should be inspected. It does not automatically mean every repaired vehicle is unsafe, but it should never be hidden from your decision.

Category S and Category N need different questions

Category S indicates structural damage, while Category N is non-structural. In either case, the quality and evidence of repair matter and a professional inspection may be sensible.

Look for salvage evidence as well

Where auction or salvage information is available, photographs or records can add valuable context to an insurance marker. MyPlateCheck reserves the deeper auction and salvage layer for Ultimate.

How to use this information

MyPlateCheck combines available vehicle data into buyer-focused checks. Data can contain omissions or recording errors, so use it alongside the V5C and VIN, service history, seller evidence and a physical inspection. Resolve material inconsistencies before paying for a vehicle.

Learn before you buy

Guides related to this check.

Use these practical guides to understand what the data can mean and what to verify with the seller or vehicle.

Vehicle historyInsurance Write-Off Categories Explained for Used-Car BuyersUnderstand Category A, B, S and N insurance write-offs and the questions to ask when considering a previously damaged vehicle.Read guide →Vehicle historyBuying a Cat S Car: What Should You Check?A practical checklist for assessing a Category S car, including structural repairs, evidence, inspection and value.Read guide →Vehicle historyCat S vs Cat N: What's the Difference?Understand the difference between Category S and Category N insurance write-offs when comparing repaired used cars.Read guide →Vehicle historyDoes Cat N Affect Insurance and Resale Value?How Category N history can influence insurance, buyer demand and the price you may achieve when selling the car later.Read guide →

Questions buyers ask

Useful answers before you check.

Can a Category S car go back on the road?+

A Category S vehicle can return to the road after appropriate repair, but structural damage history makes repair quality especially important.

Is Category N always minor damage?+

No. Category N means the insurer did not classify the damage as structural; repair cost and seriousness can still vary substantially.

Does a write-off always appear in an MOT history?+

No. MOT and insurance write-off records are separate sources of information.

Start with the registration

Check the vehicle before you commit.

Run the free vehicle check first, then choose deeper history checks if the purchase needs them.